There is more to college than just the period of life following high school. It opens up a whole new world to you, and you have many choices to make regarding your life. Careful planning goes a long way toward setting yourself up to succeed and thrive.

Get yourself a good water bottle to bring to school. You absolutely must be sure to drink enough water day in and day out. It is especially helpful if your classes are right after one another. You will be more focused when you stay hydrated. Use water fountains to easily refill your water bottle.

Don’t procrastinate with applying for grants and scholarships. When you apply early, there is a better chance you will receive more funds. You should always fill out your paperwork and get it in on time.

Familiarize yourself with the route you will have to take to get to your classes prior to your first day. Don’t forget to calculate how long it takes you to get from class to class and look for alternate routes. Scout out other important locations you’ll need to know, and circle them on a map.

Always prepare your testing materials before an exam. Make sure you have your calculator, some extra batteries and everything else you need for your exam. Most professors will not lend you equipment; therefore, ensure you have everything before class begins.

Your seating arrangements can affect success in your classes. Instead of sitting at the back of a class to avoid your professor’s attention, sit up front where you will be more attentive. This shows your professor that you are involved and serious about your education.

Make general ed part of your first semester. If there is one course that is especially daunting, take it as a freshman so that you don’t have to dread it throughout your college career. This will help you to avoid scrambling to get your core classes finished right before graduation.

You should get familiar with your instructors when your classes begin. Learn the location of their offices and their office hours. This will also help you develop a good relationship with them. Then if you must ask for a favor of them later, you will have an established relationship.

It’s important to always pay off your debts in full. This is the only way to avoid penalties and late fees. Generally, you should only use a credit card when an emergency arises. You might want to go ahead and spend money on your credit card, but you should focus on school and not spend money on entertainment. You can get really distracted by money troubles.

If you plan to move to a different state, or if you are going to live on the campus, think about whether you really need to bring your car. In bigger cities, you may struggle to find free parking spaces. If you do not have a job, you might have trouble paying your insurance and buying gasoline.

With these tips in mind, start figuring out the next steps to take to make your college experience everything you have ever wanted. College can be a new beginning for you. It’s crucial to learn all you can.